The Football League 1888 - 1889
The Football League was the brainchild of a Scot, William McGregor, the
chairman of Aston Villa, who called a meeting in March 1888 attended by
Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke, West Bromwich Albion, Derby
County, Notts County, Burnley and Blackburn Rovers, when it was resolved
that a combination be formed and that Preston North End, Bolton Wanderers,
Accrington and Everton be invited to join. Two leading amateur clubs of
the period, Nottingham Forest and The Wednesday declined to take part. On
17th April, 1888, a further meeting was held in Manchester and the Football
League was formally called into being.
